VOTE! Best Thanksgiving Side Dish Bracket Challenge: Round 2

Alright folks, the round 1 competition was FIERCE. Although some side dishes didn't stand a chance -- sorry carrot salad and applesauce -- others were locked neck and neck for the majority of voting. At the very last minute, candied yams pulled through over roasted carrots but it was really anybody's game; it was a strong showing from both sides. Also, canned cranberry jelly, we thought you might make the cut, but alas, turns out we hardly knew ya! The big upset of Round 1, though was that green bean casserole, the number 2 seed, was narrowly upset by dinner rolls. We should have known that carbs always beat vegetables.

Here are the Sweet 16 official results, with the winners in bold:

Stuffing 97%, Carrot Salad 3%

Mashed Potatoes 96%, Applesauce 4%

Green Bean Casserole 49%, Dinner Rolls 51%

Fresh Cranberry Sauce 69%, Roasted Squash 31%

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow 66%, Rice Pilaf 34%

Cornbread 73%, Corn Pudding 27%

Brussels Sprouts 55%, Canned Cranberry Jelly 45%

Candied Yams 51%, Roasted Carrots 49%

Round 2 voting is now closed. The final four will be announced Saturday morning, November 19.

Photo credits courtesy Flickr users cwisnieski, land_camera_land_camera, amsfrank, thepinkpeppercorn, Muffet. Additional photos from Kraft, Ray Kachatorian, New Media Publishing.

Comments

[BLACKCAT66]

04:27 PM on 04/14/2012

Toss up between creamy mashed potatoes and triple strained home made gravy, I'm a FREAK for leftovers and I need three elements to make a Thanksgiving "sundae". In a small bowl layer half mashed pototoes, half stuffing, gravy, sliced turkey, more gravey and heat till bubbly garnish with cranberry sauce. I actually look more foward to this leftover concoction then the original dinner.

[Evan Hill]

01:15 AM on 11/20/2011

carmelized onions. they go great with just about anything, but especially turkey and mashed potatoes.

[foodbracket]

07:45 AM on 11/19/2011

So much fun. Love this stuff

[jonnyfrog]

04:26 AM on 11/19/2011

No bechemel needed- reduce mushrooms, cream, sherry,bit o'worcestershire salt & pepper to taste over medium heat until it resembles a sauce- add cheese of choice for flavor little by little- you're making your own cream of mushroom soup- keep it simple. If you add roux you risk making something that's too thick & could break. Screw the walnuts- just fry fresh onions. Walnuts go in the stuffing- don't be afraid to stuff your bird. My grandma stuffed hers and nobody ever got sick or died- be smart & relax- its Thanksgiving & if you don't have time to take the time to do it right, just go out, or buy it precooked.

[idontcook]

05:14 PM on 11/18/2011

whoever put marshmallows on sweet potatoes is nuts...that is a sin....marshmallows only belong on s'mores....that's why they were invented :) have a yummy thanksgiving!

[gevan]

04:42 PM on 11/18/2011

Creamed onions were never in the game? FIX!!!

[climbing panda]

02:52 PM on 11/18/2011

my mom's stuffing will win hands down every time.

[chadramey]

09:17 AM on 11/18/2011

I do sweet potatos... but.... its more of a soufle'.... and my topping is a mixture of brown sugar chopped pecans and flour...... it makes a crunchy pecan crust on top..... marshmallows are not for sweet potatos.....

[pthompson13]

06:39 PM on 11/18/2011

Oh! That sound really yummy. Recipe?

[intellifran]

08:00 AM on 11/18/2011

Marshmallow sweet potato! Not only is it delicious, but its about the only thing I can cook! Ha!

[GraniteSkyline]

07:40 AM on 11/18/2011

I'm boycotting since 'neither' is not an option. Its unfair to pit a green vegetable against a potato.

[SRS1]

06:30 AM on 11/18/2011

We use the Julia Child trick of cutting the backbone out of the turkey (save for making stock), putting the stuffing in the bottom of the pan, then the turkey on top of that. We also remove and stuff the leg/thighs separately. This cuts the cooking time WAY down and gets the turkey AND the stuffing done at the same time without drying out the turkey.

[ClevelandLib]

04:46 AM on 11/18/2011

That green bean casserole with mushroom soup is disgusting. Use fresh beans (french style is the best), blanche them in boiling water for a few minutes then shock them in some cold water to stop the cooking. Sautee them in butter with wild mushrooms or porcinis and shallots, toss with a homemade bechamel (white) sauce and your favorite cheese...I like parmesan. I top them with some shallots I've dredged in flour and fried in some oil till crispy.

[intellifran]

07:56 AM on 11/18/2011

That just sounds ten times better!! mmmmm. If only I knew how to cook! Thanks for the tip.

[ClevelandLib]

11:24 PM on 11/18/2011

I am not a chef, I only play one on the internet :)

[blackjacki2]

09:41 AM on 11/18/2011

Saw something similar posted on foodwishes a week ago. I wanted to make it for Thanksgiving but I'm on a diet so I'll just make regular green beans

http://www.youtube.com/user/foodwishes?blend=2&ob=4#p/u/4/xRLaPXLjK4w

[jonnyfrog]

02:58 AM on 11/18/2011

Tillamook Creamery is on the Oregon coast. They are known for their cheddars. Their medium is fantastic- and actually ages very well at home; there are several varieties. Vintage aged white cheddar is off the hook! Best grilled cheese on sourdough ever! Tillamook also makes some tasty ice cream-

[leftparadise]

07:24 AM on 11/18/2011

OOOhhhhh medium Tillamook cheddar - can't get that here in MI but it was my fav when I lived in CO.

[jonnyfrog]

02:45 AM on 11/18/2011

Traditional green bean casserole is made with canned cream of mushroom soup- I use fresh mushrooms, bacon, sherry & heavy cream. Here's the hard part- fresh grean beans if you can still get them- there is a tool that French cuts beans- its got 3 razor blades and you push/pull each bean through. I leave lots of the smaller beans whole- it's cool to get that occasional whole bean crunch. Shredded Tillamook Cheddar is scattered throughout giving it that cheddar tang- not too much though, just some here & there. I top it all with fresh fried onions- just a little buttermilk, then flour- fry 'em up & toss with some salt. That is how a green bean casserole trumps a dinner roll!

[Manda Ford]

12:39 AM on 11/18/2011

Turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, stuffing (not in bird), cranberry jelly, crescent rolls, and corn. Pumpkin pie and strawberry cheesecake :)